Bookstores of Ardabil from the Constitutional Era until Now / What were the characteristics of book shops?

Iran’s Book News Agency (IBNA) Provincial Service – Khadijeh Salmani Sola: If Ardabil is considered one of the cities rich in history and culture in Iran, it is because the first printing and publishing activities began there after the Constitutional Revolution. This city also had a well-equipped library in the Shrine of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili, which housed valuable and precious books.

In Heydar Mohammadiran Ardi’s book “Pioneers of Printing in Ardabil,” it is stated that Ardabil’s first bookstore, named “Ahmadiyeh,” was established in 1283 (Solar Hijri calendar) in Haj Rahim Caravanserai next to the Musalla. However, it should not be overlooked that in the last pages of the Turkish treatise by the late Mirza Ali Akbar, another bookstore named “Mohammadiyeh” managed by Hajeb al-A’emmeh Khatib in the same caravanserai is mentioned.

Ardabil’s Bookstores Evolved into Printing Houses

The head of the Ardabil Iranology Foundation, in an interview with an IBNA reporter, discussed the unique features of old bookstores and stated: “Advancement was the first characteristic of Ardabil’s bookstores; meaning, anyone who owned a bookstore would soon import a printing press alongside it and engage in printing and publishing newspapers and books. Ahmadiyeh Bookstore, whose descendants are known as Nayyer Ahmadi, offered the first book printed in Ardabil, titled “Maqamat-e Hakim Elahi Ardabili,” for sale in this printing house in Ardabil in 1323 Lunar Hijri.”

Mahmoud Mohammad Hedayati continued: “The demand-driven nature of booksellers was another characteristic. Bookseller Jalal Jalilian, in 1324 (Solar Hijri calendar), due to his concern for the region’s progress, was the first person to write a letter advocating for Ardabil to become a province. The late Dr. Memari used to say: ‘Jalal gave me the letter he had written to the United Nations. I translated it into English in my clinic, and he sent it to the United Nations.'”

He listed the influence of booksellers on Ardabil’s history and its political-social situation as another characteristic of bookstores and stated: “Judat Bookstore, as the second bookstore in Ardabil, was established in 1303 (Solar Hijri calendar). The manager of this bookstore, Hassan Judat, while establishing a printing house after one year in this location, was actively involved in political affairs. After Reza Khan’s rule, he joined the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, and his responsibility in this party led to the largest bookstore in the city being set on fire by one or more individuals during the defeat of the democratic front on Azar 21, 1325 (December 12, 1946).”

An Ardabil history researcher stated that the charitable nature of Ardabil’s bookstores was another unique feature. He remarked: “For example, Diana Bookstore, managed by Hedayat Setareh Azar, which was located at the crossroads, dedicated its shop to the Welfare Organization. Although, according to the people of that era, booksellers played an important role in charitable activities. They even lent books to financially disadvantaged enthusiasts.”

Hedayati added: “Research and journalism are two other important characteristics among booksellers, including Mansour Jedi, manager of Ketab Evi Bookstore, who is the author of 25 volumes of books, which are the result of his research. And the managers of Judat, Nejat, Saber, Ettela’at, Maqsoudi, Omidian, and Yavarian bookstores also engaged in journalism and represented a newspaper alongside selling books in the 1940s to 1970s (1320s to 1350s Solar Hijri). It is also necessary to mention Haj Barat Salehi Golabi, who, as a bookseller and journalist for Ettela’at newspaper, rendered worthy services in this city in the 1960s (1340s Solar Hijri).”

The 1950s Marked the Peak of Bookstore Establishments in Ardabil

Studies show that in the 1950s (1330s Solar Hijri), the number of bookstores and printing houses in Ardabil increased every year. In 1309 (Solar Hijri), Aziz Saber launched “Saber” Bookstore. In 1354 (Solar Hijri), with the death of Taher Saber, Aziz’s son, who was an important activist in the field of books and newspapers in Ardabil, the bookstore was closed, and this cultural place was managed as a printing house by his children until 1357 (Solar Hijri). It is also worth mentioning Haj Mohammad Ali Ketabchi, who had a bookstore in Ardabil’s “Golshan” caravanserai in 1309 (Solar Hijri) in the Rasteh Bazaar area. He and his son, Reza Ketabchi, manager of “Ettela’at” Bookstore, played an important role in the development of this city. Although a market fire in July 1326 (Solar Hijri) destroyed these bookstores along with many books and printing and publishing equipment, their mission continued through their transfer and sale to other bookstores and printing houses.

Jalaei Bookstore, established in 1311 (Solar Hijri) by Ali Akbar Jalaei, was another active cultural place in Ardabil. In this printing house, in 1343 (Solar Hijri), a printing house and library were also established alongside the bookstore through the efforts of Ali Soltani. In the Ardabil market fire in 1326 (Solar Hijri), Jalaei Bookstore, like Ettela’at Bookstore and printing house, fell victim to fire. This bookstore was also revived by the Jalaei family, and Javad Jalaei even opened a branch of this bookstore with the same name at Hedayat Fakhrabad Intersection in Tehran.

Philanthropy, Journalism, Research, and Advocacy: Characteristics of Booksellers

Hedayati stated: “In 1320 (Solar Hijri), Hossein Nasihatgar, who had a quarter-century of experience in the field of books and journalism, established a two-fronted bookstore named “Nahid” between Sarcheshmeh Square. In addition to selling books and stationery, he was a correspondent for some national newspapers in Ardabil. With the prosperity of Sarcheshmeh Square, years later, Ettela’at and Maqsoudi bookstores were also established next to it.”

The late Nasihatgar also did an innovative work. To the left of the entrance to Ardabil’s Rasteh Bazaar, he established a branch of Nahid titled “Sa’adat Bookstore” under the management of Karim Ghadiri, but unfortunately, its manager lost his life in a car accident in 1330 (Solar Hijri), and the Nahid branch naturally went out of business.

However, “Akbari” Bookstore, by Agha Jan Akbari, in 1325 (Solar Hijri), and “Sina” Bookstore, in 1331 (Solar Hijri), owned by Einollah Khosravani, entered the scene. Due to urban development, especially Akbari Bookstore, which was a cultural hub for many intellectuals and book lovers until after the Islamic Revolution, it was demolished in 1379 (Solar Hijri) due to the expansion near the “Shrine of Sheikh Safi al-Din.”

The head of the Ardabil Iranology Foundation stated: “In 1329 (Solar Hijri), the Maqsoudi brothers, Rahim and Ghafour, established a bookstore opposite Do Gachilar Caravanserai. Later, they also started printing and publishing. The two brothers placed a large scale, weighed the printing press, and Rahim took the printing press while Ghafour took an equivalent amount of books and managed the bookstore. Years later, he also founded Ferdowsi Printing House. These shops continue their activities today under the names Maqsoudi Printing House and Ferdowsi Printing House by their grandchildren.”

According to Hedayati, in the late 1950s (1330s Solar Hijri), in 1339 (Solar Hijri), “Yavarian” Bookstore was established by Esrafil Yavarian, and in 1340 (Solar Hijri), “Behrouz” Bookstore was founded by Gholam Fattahi and his brother Behrouz. In the 1960s (1340s Solar Hijri), bookstores such as “Omidian” owned by Hassan Omidian, “Nour” managed by Mohsen Sagha, “Jalal Jalilian” Bookstore with the same title at the entrance of Qeysariyeh Bazaar, “Sa’di” by Hossein Hariri, and “Diana” by Hedayat Setareh Azar joined the circle of booksellers.

Yavarian and Behrouz: The Only Active Bookstores from the 1960s Until Now

He added: “In the 1970s (1350s Solar Hijri), no new bookstore establishment other than “Dadras” was recorded. After the Revolution, bookstores such as “Islamic Publications,” Asia, Malekpour, Shariati, Ketab Evi, Nimaj, Khayyam, Dr. Book, iBook, and Hakim began their activities and continue to operate strongly today, despite all the problems in the printing industry, striving to elevate the culture of this city. Other bookstores, including “Shahr-e Ketab” (Book City), “Ketabshahr,” and “Velayat,” have also been established by institutions or organizations in Ardabil and meet the needs of readers and book lovers.”

The cultural and social services of the mentioned luminaries in Ardabil, in an era when printing technology and the profession of bookselling or book shop were just being established in Iran, will never be forgotten by the people of this city. Most of the bookstores established in the past have gone out of circulation for various reasons, including changing their use to printing houses and social and political events. However, what is important today is paying attention to active booksellers. Ardabil had a period when fruit and vegetable shops were converted into bookstores.